From £14 to luxury: The best vitamin C serums and creams to try now. (Picture: Metro/Getty)
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Think of vitamin C and what probably comes to mind are citrus fruits or supplements, but vitamin C is actually one of the most incredible skincare ingredients too!
Skin experts and dermatologists all rave about the benefits of incorporating vitamin C into your skincare routine, but what exactly is it and what makes it such an essential skincare ingredient?
Found in cleansers, serums, moisturisers and SPFs, vitamin C has a long list of skin benefits from brightening the skin to reducing dark patches of hyperpigmentation.
It helps to diminish signs of ageing, like sagging and wrinkles, and as an antioxidant, it also helps protect your skin against things like pollution and UV rays.
In short, there’s not much it can’t do.
We’re huge fans of this Paula’s Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturiser for brightening, hydrating and firming skin. (Picture: Metro/Paula’s Choice)
‘Everyone should be incorporating antioxidants into their daily routine,’ says Dr Wassim Taktouk, Aesthetic Doctor: ‘Not only do they work towards brighter, more youthful skin, they also work towards reducing free radical damage which is contributing to the development of fine lines and wrinkles. It’s the best investment you can make for your skin.’
So, how do you actually use vitamin C in a routine? Most dermatologists recommend using a serum and applying this in the morning, before your moisturiser and sunscreen, as it can help protect the skin from UV (although it should never actually replace your SPF).
Serums tend to be popular as they’re formulated with a higher concentration of the ingredient than cleansers, moisturisers and toners, and have more contact time with the skin.
Vitamin C is the ingredient for transforming skin overtime. (Credits: Getty Images)
What you might not be aware of is that vitamin C can often have different names like ascorbic acid, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate or L-ascorbic acid, but don’t be bamboozled, as these simply refer to the form the vitamin C is in.
What you do need to look out for though is the strength of vitamin C in your skincare. Plenty of skin experts usually recommend a potency between 10 – 20% as this will give the most skin benefits.
So, whether you’re looking to brighten a dull complexion, fix your pigmentation, reduce your wrinkles or protect your skin from pollution, vitamin C really is the way to go.
And, to help you decide on which vitamin C products to buy, we’ve made a round up of the very best formulas, all worth your hard-earned cash.
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is one of the most top-rated vitamin C serums out there, blending 15% pure vitamin C with vitamin E and ferulic acid to help protect skin from everyday environmental damage while tackling visible signs of ageing.
It helps brighten your skin, smooth the look of fine lines, and leaves your complexion looking more even, radiant and glowing.
Garnier Vitamin C Wonder Tint SPF50
The Garnier Vitamin C Wonder Tint SPF50 is a clever all-in-one base that combines skincare, sun protection and a touch of coverage in one step. It helps even out skin tone, brighten the complexion over time and reduce the appearance of dark spots, all while delivering SPF50.
Medik8 C-Tetra Advanced
If you have pigmentation or dark spots you’re trying to fade, Medik8 C-Tetra Advanced is one of those vitamin C serums that’s designed to really target uneven skin tone while still being gentle enough for daily use. Formulated with a high 20% stabilised vitamin C with phyto exosomes and antioxidants, it helps brighten skin, smooth texture, and visibly reduce the look of pigmentation.
Bubble Day Dream Tone and Texture Serum
Perfect for teens looking to even out skin tone and boost their natural glow, Bubble Day Dream Tone and Texture Serum is a lightweight daily serum designed to help improve texture, brightness and overall clarity. It combines vitamin C, niacinamide, plant-derived ceramides and alpha arbutin to help brighten skin, calm irritation and strengthen the skin barrier.
Tatcha The Brightening Eye Cream
For dark under-eye circles, try Tatcha’s The Brightening Eye Cream, a lightweight formula that helps brighten and refresh tired-looking eyes without feeling heavy or greasy. It uses time-release vitamin C alongside Japanese botanicals and bioferments to slowly reduce the look of dark circles, puffiness and fine lines. With regular use, niacinamide and antioxidant boosters help even out tone so the eye area looks brighter and smoother.
L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Clinical Pure 12% Vitamin C
The L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Clinical Pure 12% Vitamin C is a lightweight serum designed for dull, tired-looking skin that needs a boost of brightness. It uses a high-strength 12% pure vitamin C formula to help even out skin tone, improve radiance and reduce the look of dark spots.
e.l.f Skin Bright Icon Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Serum
If you have dull skin, reach for the Skin Bright Icon Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Serum from e.l.f, a brightening formula powered by 15% vitamin C, 1% vitamin E and 0.5% ferulic acid to help boost radiance and even out skin tone. It works to visibly reduce the look of dark spots and revive tired-looking skin, leaving your complexion looking fresher, smoother and more luminous.
Paula’s Choice C5 Superboost Moisturiser
Add extra vitamin C to your skincare routine with the Paula’s Choice C5 Superboost Moisturiser, a lightweight daily cream designed to brighten and refresh dull, tired-looking skin. It helps improve the look of uneven tone and boost overall radiance, leaving the complexion smoother, fresher and more hydrated.
We’ll take them all!
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